Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ramen209]

So... Koreans like to compliment. This isn't a big deal... but just for curiosity's sake, if anyone knows how to deal with this aspect of korean culture, it would be informative.

Today some Ajummas in my gym said "beautiful!" in korean, I replied with "thank you" and they looked at me like I was crazy! How does one respond to this? with nothing?

Co-teachers will say something like "your hair is beautiful today". etc. to me.

In the USA, the accepted response to a compliment is "thank you".

Here, what is the way to respond?

I've heard that this is not the case in Korea, because it is not humble.

[lost at sea]

You're better off saying no and blushing and looking away or down if you're a girl. Deny everything Saying thank you here is like,

Person A: "Person B, You're Beautiful."
Person B: "I know."

[kiknkorea]

An embarrassed acknowledgment of the compliment works fine.

"I look nice today!?"
"Really?"
"Wow, thank you!"

[Ya-ta Boy]

Try putting your palms together (at a 90 degree angle) and rubbing them back and forth.

[oldfatfarang]

This works for me when I get the "handsome' stuff.

Bow your head a little, cover your face (and quetly say Oh!).

This will get you rounds of "Cute" and Cutey" etc.

This acknowledges the compliment, shows humility, and also shows that you're not a 'scary' teacher or arrogant.

Good luck.

[Banana_Man]

Thanks has always worked for me in the past - no need to show excessive humility, just smile and say thanks. Or just smile and deny the attractiveness - in the same way as you would back home.

[carleverson]

[the oak llama]

yeah..

it's a little awkward when you get "very handsome" in front of a lot of people / coworkers.

i started carrying a picture of mark wahlberg in my pocket for this reason.

person: ah, very handsome!
me: nah, man. nah. THIS mother effer is handsome (present picture).
all: ooooooooooh.

[Bloopity Bloop]

[air76]

In Korea "You're handsome" or "You're pretty" means: You look different than me.

[tokkibunni8]

Anyone and everyone is handsome and pretty in Korea unless you are Korean. Just like stick skinny Koreans are too fat, but overweight non Koreans are "S" line

[djsmnc]

I respond like I would anywhere else, which is with a "thank you"

Complete non-issue and nothing awkward about it.

[rookieglobetrotter]

what about if your 40 yr old coteacher says "all the other teachers here are nice except me. I am very mean." I replied no you are very nice but half the time I don't know what to say and probably have flubbed up a dozen times since we don't share the same age, gender, or culture.

Anyone have any books/websites on how to talk to coworkers here? I feel like I am messing up all the time.

[djsmnc]

[The Goalie]

An embarrassed smile, the head drops slightly, and the hand waves it off with a slight gesture. Change the topic and carry on...